Today, lithium-ion (Li-ion) batteries are used to power everything from smartwatches and laptops to electric vehicles and industrial-sized backup power generators. But today’s lithium-ion batteries are too expensive for most such applications and these batteries also contain a flammable electrolyte,.
Scientists around the world have long been pursuing a new type of rechargeable lithium battery, that is more light in weight, compact, safe, and provides low-cost backup storage than current versions.
Thanks to a discovery made by MIT researchers that could finally unlock the door to a new kind of rechargeable lithium battery made entirely from abundant and inexpensive materials.
The game-changing technology
Researchers at MIT have developed a battery by replacing the liquid electrolyte with a thinner and lighter layer of solid ceramic material and replacing one of the electrodes with solid lithium metal. This would greatly reduce the size and weight of the battery.
This battery will not only remove the safety risk associated with flammable liquid electrolytes but will also resolve a major issue of dendrite formation that crosses through the electrolyte.
